Hello, my readers and haters,

Today is my second day of NMN and this year I decided to do it for myself.  No more filters on Snapchat or Instagram filters. It takes me about an hour and a half to get ready, and I’ve been relying on makeup to feel confident and pretty without realizing I’m hiding behind it again. Thankfully,  I have this month to work on how I feel on the inside rather than the outside.

I’ve been having trouble with losing weight because of a particular health condition I have, and it’s been mentality straining. I am 23 years old now, and I feel the pressure of keeping weight off and face flawless is even more overwhelming. There is no secret that I suffer from Body Dysmorphia. Some weeks are easy, but sometimes it’s hard for me to leave my house because of how bloated/fat I think I am.  Despite being invited to a social outing, I won’t go if I don’t look good.

I’ve come to learn it’s not how you look, its how you feel! I haven’t been feeling “good” or my “best” for a bit; however, I’m happy to place aside the superficiality of social pressures and concentrate on my mind, body, and soul. Hopefully, I won’t get caught in these pressures after this month. I’m excited to share this experience with you guys and hope it can inspire you to check in with yourself.

-KIKI REYES